Aaaah! Freaky Fish People!
By: SilverstartheWaterbender
Silverstar: Here's Chapter 10!
Myri78: I really don't hold anything against Keira either. The least Jack could do is try. Thanks for reviewing!
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Disclaimer: I don't own POTC or Toby, who belongs to Wolfen-Ways.
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Chapter Ten: No Calm Before the Storm
(Toby's POV)
The next morning, Will and I found ourselves aboard the Edinburgh Trader (a merchant ship), blankets draped around our shoulders and clutching hot drinks.
Captain Bellamy looked at us, puzzled. "Strange thing to come across a longboat so far out in open water."
I smiled weakly. "Shipwreck."
"Just put as many leagues behind us as you can," Will said urgently. "As fast as you can."
"And what are we running from?" Bellamy asked.
"You don't wanna know," I muttered.
Suddenly, Will spied the bursar eyeing a dress lying forlornly on a chair. "That dress," Will whispered, walking over to it. "Where did you get it?"
Bellamy blinked. "It was found aboard the ship. "The crew thought it was a spirit bringing some omen of ill fate."
"That's foolish," Will murmured absentmindedly, fingering the dress.
"Oh, yes," the quartermaster agreed. "Exceedingly foolish." He and the bursar looked at the captain sheepishly.
"It brought good fortune," the bursar pointed out. "The spirit told us, 'Pull in at Tortuga,' and we made a nice bit of profit there."
"Off the books, of course," Bellamy added.
Bibles? "That's ironic," I chuckled.
Will remained focused on the dress. "I imagine…some of your crew may have jumped ship there?"
Bellamy frowned. "Why do you ask?"
Will was spared answering by a sailor coming below deck. "Captain, a ship's been spotted."
"Colors?"
"She isn't flying any."
"Pirates," Bellamy muttered.
Will and I exchanged a glance. "Or worse." Will started to go above deck, but I stopped him. "Dress?" I mouthed once the others were gone.
Will smiled slightly. "Elizabeth's wedding dress," he whispered.
I smirked and raised my drink. "Congratulations."
We trooped up on deck. Will climbed up the rigging to the topsail, and I leaned out over the railing. The Dutchman was clearly visible. "It's the Flying Dutchman!" I heard Will yell.
Suddenly, the ship came to a halt. I nearly fell overboard, so strong was the jolt. Will grabbed the rigging just in time before he fell from the topsail. I saw him dangle above the ship.
"What the bloody hell was that?!" I growled.
"Mother Carey's chickens," the bursar moaned. "What happened?"
"Must've hit a reef," the quartermaster answered.
I peered down over the railing. I didn't like the way the water was frothing and bubbling.
Neither did Bellamy. "Free the rudder! Hard to port, then hard to starboard!"
"Free the rudder!"
"Hard to port!"
Suddenly, an enormous tentacle whipped out of the water. It snatched up Bellamy and flailed him through the air. Oh God, no… "IT'S THE KRAKEN!" I shouted.
The men screamed. The whole deck was a flurry of movement as they readied the cannons and retrieved axes and spears. I pulled out my pistol, cocked it, and aimed out to sea.
I spotted the tentacles, a score of them, creeping up across the starboard side. I aimed and fired at one. For a moment, it recoiled, and I heard the Kraken growl. Then the tentacle, along with the rest, started creeping faster.
The bursar held up the "haunted" dress. "Here it is! Take it! Take it!" The Kraken was uninterested.
I grabbed an ax and started chopping at one of the tentacles. It didn't seem to do any good. One of the tentacles whipped right toward me, and I called upon my werewolf senses. I jumped over it, ricocheted off the mast, and landed on my feet.
Suddenly, one of the tentacles crashed through the mast Will was on. I looked up to see him jump to the next mast, hitting the sail. As he went down, he pulled out his knife, slashing the sail and slowing the fall. Just before he fell off the sail, he grabbed on to a rope.
I turned my attention back to the battle. We were losing…bad. I kept firing at the Kraken until I ran out of shots. No good.
Suddenly, two tentacles, larger than the rest, loomed over the ship. They were meaning to drag us below! Not stopping to think, I dove off the Edinburgh Trader just as the tentacles came down. As I hit the water, I swore I could hear an organ.
The water was cold and biting, and I closed my eyes at the shock. Once I opened them, I saw the open mouth of the Kraken. Mouth open in a soundless scream of – I admit it – fear, I swam frantically for the surface.
My head broke the surface a moment later. Coughing and sputtering, I stared back at the Trader. She was being dragged below, the screams of panicked and dying men apparent.
Suddenly, there was a splash, followed by more coughing. I turned to see Will swimming up beside me. Neither of us said a word; how could we? I gestured towards the quickly approaching Dutchman. Will nodded, and we swam towards it.
After a few minutes, we were right under the figurehead. Will climbed into the gaping crocodile mouth, and then held out his hand to me. I took it and climbed on. We were onboard, and could hear every word on deck.
Will nodded at me to stay put, and he started climbing to the deck. "The boys aren't here," I heard Maccus say. "They must have been claimed by the sea."
"I am the sea." Definitely Jones. "You need time alone with your thoughts," he said, most likely to Bootstrap, poor man. "Brig!"
"What of the survivors?" Someone asked.
Pause. "There are no survivors." I winced at the thud and splash that followed.
Will rejoined me as Jones said, "The chest is no longer safe. Chart a course to Isla Cruces. Get me there first, or there'll be the devil to pay!" "I don't doubt that," I thought.
"'First?'" I heard a monster echo.
Jones' voice was menacing. "Who sent those thieving charlatans onto my ship? Who told them of the key?" Pause. "Jack Sparrow."
I looked at Will and sighed somewhat happily. We had a ride to the chest.
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(Mary's POV)
I leaned over the railing, feeling I might be sick. All day, the thoughts of Jack's unfaithfulness swam around in my head, and now the time for the second Sparrowbeth moment had almost arrived.
I looked over my shoulder to see Jack walking toward me, rum in hand. I stopped him with a glance. I looked at Lizzie, then at him, shook my head sadly, and climbed to the helm.
I stared back at Jack. He just seemed to be making the connection that I had seen him flirting with Lizzie. His mouth dropped, and he frantically shook his head.
I shrugged and mouthed, "What am I supposed to believe?"
That seemed to drain all the fight from Jack. His head drooped, and I thought I saw a tear. Of course, it had probably been my imagination, because a moment later he swaggered over to where Lizzie was sitting on the helm steps.
"My tremendous intuitive sense of the female creature informs me that you are troubled," he said to her, the slightest hint of sadness in his voice.
My hands tightened on the railing. "Tremendous intuitive sense, my ass," I growled bitterly. It works on her, but not me?
"I just thought I'd be married by now," Lizzie answered sadly. "I'm so ready to be married." Jack handed her the rum bottle, which she drank gratefully. I looked out to sea, but I could tell Jack was looking at me. He didn't seem to realize I could hear, or that I knew everything he said.
"You know," Jack began. He cleared his throat. "Lizzie, I am captain of a ship, and being captain of a ship, I could in fact perform a marr-i-age…right here…right on this deck…right…now."
A soft gasp issued from my lips, and a few tears stubbornly fell. My hand muscles trembled from clutching the railing so hard.
Lizzie handed him back his bottle and stood. "No, thank you." She started walking away.
Jack followed her, as did my eyes. "Why not? We are very much alike, you and I, I and you…us." Another soft gasp and a few more tears. I frantically wiped my eyes, wishing for the hollow emptiness I had previously experienced.
Elizabeth snorted. "Oh, except for a sense of honor and decency and a moral center…and personal hygiene." Hey, that's what happens at sea! You think I'm not dying for a nice hot shower?
Jack sniffed himself before continuing. "Trifles. You will come over to my side. I know it." Oh, God, please stop, stop it! I was hyperventilating now, I just knew it.
"You seem very certain."
"One word, luv: curiosity. You long for freedom. You long to do what you want to do because you want it. To act on selfish impulse. You want to see what it's like. One day, you won't be able to resist."
"Why doesn't your compass work?" Oooooooh, low blow, even for her.
Jack froze. "My compass works fine."
"Because you and I are alike," Lizzie answered for him. "And there will come a moment when you have a chance to show it…to do the right thing."
"I love those moments! I like to wave at them as they passed by!" Under normal circumstances, I might have laughed.
"You'll have the chance to do something…something courageous," Lizzie continued. "And when you do, you'll discover something." Jack looked at her, confused. "That you're a good man."
Jack smiled. "All evidence to the contrary."
"Oh, I have faith in you," Lizzie told him. I had my hand on my cutlass, but whether I would use it on Lizzie, Jack, or myself was not yet known. "Want to know why?"
"Do tell, dearie."
"Curiosity," Lizzie replied, leaning closer. "You're going to want it. A chance to be admired and gain the rewards that follow. You won't be able to resist. You're going to want to know…what it tastes like."
"I do want to know what it tastes like," Jack whispered lustily. I squeezed my eyes shut, praying for a miracle.
"But," Lizzie said, leaning even closer, "seeing as you're a good man, I know that you'd never put me or Mary into a position that would compromise our honor." Their mouths were almost touching now.
That was it. I could take it no more. As Jack looked down at the reappeared Black Spot, I raced down the stairs, truly sobbing now.
"Lass, what happened?" I heard Gibbs shout. "What's the matter?"
I didn't answer, but felt blindly for the threshold below deck through my tears.
I suddenly felt hands on my arms. "Mary, what's wrong?" It was Jack. He sounded worried, which only fueled my anger.
I pulled away from him, fists clenched. "I trusted you, Jack," I hissed. "But you…you lied to me!"
"Luv…"
"Don't call me that!"
I turned toward the door and ran down the steps, crying harder than ever.
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(Gibbs' POV)
I watched in shock as Mary tore down the steps. Jack made to run after her, but a few men held him back. Lord preserve them!
"Mr. Gibbs," I heard Jack choke out.
I went over to him. "Aye, Cap'n?" My voice was tight.
Jack looked at me, but I doubt he actually saw me. "She hates me." Tears formed in his eyes.
I shook my head. "I think hate is rather a strong word…"
Jack moaned like a dying man and clutched the railing for support. "What's wrong with me, Gibbs? Why can't I…?" He sank to the deck. I looked over at Elizabeth. She looked as shocked and guilty as Jack did, though much quieter.
I looked around at the crew. "Well, don't just stand there! All of ye, get back to work!" The men scattered.
I turned my gaze to Elizabeth. "That goes for you too, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears. "Mr. Gibbs, I…I wasn't…I didn't mean to…I'm so sorry."
I sighed. "I'm not the one who ye should be apologizing to." Elizabeth nodded and slowly walked away.
I hauled Jack to his feet. "Easy, Jack."
"I didn't know," he whispered, quivering. "I didn't know she could hear…I thought she…"
I shook him slightly. He took a deep breath. "Thank you, Gibbs. I suppose you didn't see…?"
I shook my head. "No. Why do you think Mary's upset?"
"Just now," Jack murmured. "I was…so attracted to Elizabeth…we were about to…I almost…I was flirting with her, Gibbs!"
I nodded. "Aye, that sounds about right."
"This must have been it," Jack went on. "Mary's been distracted the whole voyage. She said she saw something in the future…this was it."
"Jack," I said calmly. "Did you purposefully mean to hurt Mary?"
Jack shook his head frantically. "No!"
"Do you love Elizabeth?"
"I wouldn't say love…"
"But you are attracted to her?"
"…Yes."
I gave him a long look. "Do you love Mary?"
Jack looked back at me, eyes filled with sorrow. He said nothing.
"Well?"
Jack muttered something.
"I couldn't hear."
"Yes!" Jack said suddenly. "I love her!" I nodded. Truth be told, I thought Mary was a better match for him than Elizabeth.
I was jerked out of my thoughts by the sound of heavy footsteps. I turned to see Jack staggering towards his cabin. "I need rum," I heard him mutter.
I pulled him back. "You need to go talk to Mary. Tell her what you told me."
Jack shook his head. "Are you mad? She'll never listen to me! Can't you hear?" He dragged me to the top of the stairs. Sure enough, Mary's sobs could be heard clearly.
I sighed. "Well, someone has to…" I stopped. Jack was looking at me hopefully. I shook my head firmly. "No, no, no. You're the one who needs to…"
"Please, Gibbs?" Jack begged. "She likes you! She'll listen to you! And I'll talk to her right afterwards!"
I hated seeing the captain in such a horrible state, so I had to agree. Silently, we crept down below. Jack quickly ducked into a shadowy corner, and I looked over at Mary. She was laying face-down on her hammock, crying bitterly. I felt me heart wrench. The poor lass. I looked over at Jack. His lips were moving silently, and a tear fell down his cheek.
I cautiously stepped forward, casting a look back at the corner. Jack couldn't be seen. I cleared my throat. "Er…lass?"
Mary's head shot up. Her face was pale, and her eyes were red-rimmed. "What do you want, Gibbs?" she whispered sullenly.
I walked over to her and sat on the hammock next to hers. "Well Mary, I just…wanted to talk to you for a moment."
"I don't feel like talking."
"Are you sure?"
Mary was silent. Suddenly, a fresh wave of sobs overtook her. "H-how could he d-do this to me, Gibbs? I thought he c-cared about me!"
I placed a hand on her back, rubbing it in an attempt to soothe her. "He does care about you, lass! More than that, he loves you!"
Her eyes flashed. "He's got a poor way of showing it!" Her head drooped. "I thought Jack understood…when I was holding the compass, it was pointing straight at him…I love him, Gibbs."
I heard a noise from the corner. I quickly cleared my throat, hoping Mary didn't realize Jack was back there. Apparently, she didn't. She smiled weakly. "Uh, sorry. This is probably making you uncomfortable."
I smiled. "No, lass, keep going. I'm here for you."
She smiled. "Thanks, Gibbs." She paused. "You don't think I…overreacted, do you?"
I thought a moment. "Well, lass, I'd say no. But remember, Jack's gone with many a woman, and rarely was faithful."
Mary looked down. "I know. But I thought…maybe this time…"
"BUGGER IT ALL! I'M NOT STANDING IN THAT CORNER ANY MORE!"
We both jumped. I turned to see Jack racing over to us…or rather, to Mary. I looked at Mary. Her eyes widened, and then quickly narrowed. "What, Jack?"
Jack took a deep breath. "Mary, I'm so….so sorry. I just don't know what's going on. Ever since I got the…the…"
"Black Spot?" Mary guessed. I smiled; her voice sounded a bit kinder, though she still looked angry.
Jack and I cringed at the phrase. Mary rolled her eyes. "Oh, grow up, will you?"
Jack cleared his throat. "Sorry, luv. But really, what I'm trying to say is…is…I…"
"Jack," Mary interrupted sadly. "Don't. Whatever you're about to say…how can I trust you?"
Jack didn't seem to think of that. He paused, and then grinned. "Wait right there." He raced up the steps.
"You know," I told Mary. "He really does love you."
Mary sighed. "He seems to love Elizabeth more." I had no comeback for that.
A moment later, Jack came running back down the steps. He had his compass in hand. I groaned. "Jack, that compass isn't…"
"Shh," Jack hissed. He turned to Mary. "Luv, I care about you more than any other girl I've met. Here's the proof." Without another word, he opened the compass.
I looked at the reading. The needle was quivering slightly, but there was no mistaking it. It was pointing straight at Mary. I heard a soft noise, sort of like a bird. Mary was staring down at the compass reading, eyes wide.
Jack smiled at her. "Mary, I think now you can trust me when I say…" He took a deep breath. "I love you."
Mary looked up, tears in her eyes. "Jack…I love you, too."
Jack's eyes lit up. "Mr. Gibbs," he said distractedly. "You may want to leave."
I chuckled. "Aye, Cap'n." Without another word, I made for the stairs, praising the Lord that all was well.
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(Mary's POV)
Jack and I silently watched Gibbs leave. Jack put his arms around me and drew me close. "So, luv…can you forgive me?"
I smiled. Of course, I was still mad, but Jack could prove that he did care about me. "I guess I can give you another chance."
Jack smiled and kissed me. This kiss felt wonderful, better than our first. I sighed, deepening the kiss. After a moment, we broke apart, and I leaned against Jack's chest.
Jack sighed softly, kissing my neck. "Bloody hell, I missed that."
"Me too," I murmured. We leaned in to kiss again…
"LAND HO!"
I jumped. "Damn you, Pintel! I'm gonna tear your head off and feed it to the sharks!"
Jack looked towards the steps, fear once more in his eyes. "I want my jar of dirt," he said meekly.
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Silverstar: Yay Gibbs! The mastermind behind it all…sort of. OK, so now that Mary and Jack are back together, all they have to do now is fight off Jones' crew. And of course, Toby and Will are going to come back. R&R!